Controls Engineer Jobs in California

Controls Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and defense, food and beverage processing, and industrial automation across a seniority range from entry-level technician-track roles through senior systems architects. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Tesla maintain significant engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties in California right now are PLC programming, motion control systems, and process automation for advanced manufacturing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Controls Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles264+
Top employerTesla
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Cities hiring79
Work type67% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 4 of 264+ Controls Engineer jobs

E Tech Group
Lead Controls Engineer
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E Tech Group
Added 3d ago
Lead Controls Engineer
E Tech Group
San Jose, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$160k - $180k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
501-1,000

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Relativity Space
Senior Controls Engineer, Optical Beam Pointing
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Relativity Space
Added 3d ago
Senior Controls Engineer, Optical Beam Pointing
Relativity Space
Long Beach, California
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$148k - $222k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Retrofit Service Company, Inc.
HVAC Controls Application Engineer
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Retrofit Service Company, Inc.
Added 4d ago
HVAC Controls Application Engineer
Retrofit Service Company, Inc.
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$25 - $38/hr
On-Site

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Tesla
Automation Controls Engineer, Battery Cell Manufacturing
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Tesla
Added 4d ago
Automation Controls Engineer, Battery Cell Manufacturing
Tesla
Fremont, California
Customer Support
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$92k - $164k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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See All 264+ Controls Engineer Jobs in California

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Controls Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Palo Alto
26 jobs
Fremont
19 jobs
Sunnyvale
11 jobs
El Segundo
11 jobs
San Diego
9 jobs
San Jose
8 jobs

Controls Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Tesla
    Tesla40
  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman7
  • SpaceX
    SpaceX5
  • Anduril
    Anduril5
  • E Tech
    E Tech5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services11
  • Manufacturing7
  • Construction & Real Estate6
  • Science & Research5
  • Energy4

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or controls systems engineering
  • Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi in a manufacturing environment
  • Experience designing and troubleshooting HMI and SCADA systems for industrial automation
  • Familiarity with California safety standards and Cal/OSHA machine guarding and electrical regulations
  • Ability to read and develop electrical schematics, P&IDs, and ladder logic documentation
  • Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists preferred for senior roles

Controls Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a controls engineer in California?

Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering as the foundation. Senior and project-lead roles frequently prefer or require licensure as a Professional Engineer through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, which involves passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Entry-level candidates typically start in technician or automation support roles and build toward licensure over several years of documented experience.

How much do controls engineers make in California?

Controls engineers in California earn a median of about $124,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,900 for the lowest 10% to over $172,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire controls engineers in California?

Employers hiring controls engineers in California right now include Tesla, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor fabs, aerospace primes, and advanced food and beverage manufacturers means demand is spread across both large defense contractors in Southern California and high-tech manufacturing firms in the Bay Area.

Which California cities have the most controls engineer jobs?

Palo Alto, Fremont, and San Francisco have the most controls engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's dominance reflects its dense cluster of semiconductor and robotics companies, Los Angeles draws heavily from aerospace and defense primes like Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, and San Diego's life sciences and defense sectors generate steady demand for process and systems automation engineers.

Are there remote controls engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is fundamentally a hands-on discipline, and most roles require on-site work to commission, program, and troubleshoot physical equipment. About 33% of controls engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in project management, system architecture review, or software-side automation work that doesn't require direct access to production hardware.

How can I get hired as a controls engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a technician or automation associate role at a California manufacturer, where you work alongside experienced controls engineers before taking on independent system work. Large Bay Area semiconductor equipment makers and Southern California aerospace firms regularly hire engineering associates and co-op participants from California State University and UC campuses. Earning a Certified Automation Professional credential from the International Society of Automation or building a lab portfolio demonstrating PLC and HMI work gives candidates without direct industry experience a concrete edge in interviews.

Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search through the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to each one.

See All 264+ Controls Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Controls Engineer Jobs